Somaliland: Clashes Reported in Osoli Area Near Lughaya, Awdal Region

Araweelo News Network  / Associated Online Agencies

Reading time: 4 minutes

Awdal, Borama (ANN) — Fighting has reportedly entered a second day in the Osoli area on the outskirts of Lughaya, in western Somaliland’s Awdal region, amid a longstanding dispute involving local armed groups.
Osoli is a rural settlement located west of the historic coastal town of Lughaya. The area has previously experienced tensions and clashes between two local sides, with security forces from Somaliland intervening at various times in an effort to contain the situation.
Local reports indicate that the latest fighting resumed after the two sides had remained in a prolonged standoff over an unresolved dispute. The nature and immediate cause of the latest escalation have not been independently established.
As of the latest reports, the Somaliland government had not issued an official statement specifically addressing the renewed clashes in Osoli.
Security Forces Intervene
Military and security personnel have reportedly been deployed in the area to separate the opposing sides and prevent the fighting from spreading.
Community elders and other local figures have also appealed for calm, urging the parties to resolve the dispute through dialogue and traditional reconciliation mechanisms.
There are also unconfirmed reports that members of the Issa community were among individuals detained in connection with the fighting.

These reports could not be independently verified at the time of publication, and the identities and circumstances of any detainees remain unclear.
Osoli and Lughaya
Osoli is a rural settlement situated to the west of Lughaya, along Somaliland’s western coastal area. It is approximately 118 kilometres from Borama, the administrative centre of Awdal Region, according to the geographical information provided in local reports.
The area is characterized by difficult living conditions and limited access to essential public services. Its remote location and longstanding local disputes have contributed to security challenges in parts of the region.
Background
The latest clashes come against a backdrop of earlier tensions in western Awdal. Local disputes in the area have periodically required the involvement of security forces, elders and community leaders.
Local reporting also recalls the role of Somaliland security officials who have previously served in the western coastal areas, including General Mohamed Osman “Xudhuun,” a senior naval officer who has long been associated with security operations in the region.
Historical accounts indicate that Xudhuun served in the area under previous Somaliland administrations. During the administration of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud “Silanyo,” he was reportedly replaced following security developments in the western coastal region after armed ONLF elements entered the Saylac area in 2010 during their conflict with Ethiopia.
Calls for Restraint
With tensions continuing, community elders and local leaders are calling on the opposing sides to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.
The absence of a detailed official statement means that important aspects of the latest clashes—including the number of casualties, the exact cause of the fighting and the number of people detained—remain unclear.
Araweelo News Network (ANN) — Associated Online Agencies
Editor’s note: Reports concerning casualties, detainees and the involvement of specific communities remain subject to independent verification. ANN will update this report as further confirmed information becomes available.